Arrow rest assembly with bidirectional bias torque

ABSTRACT

An arrow rest assembly includes a body, shaft, bidirectional bias mechanism, launcher, and rotation stop. The shaft rotates about a transverse axis and the launcher and rotation stop are secured to the shaft. The bidirectional bias mechanism provides a bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions away from a single shaft reference orientation. The arrow rest assembly can be structurally arranged to be cable-driven or limb-driven. If the launcher can be removably secured in each of first and second launcher orientations, then the arrow rest assembly can be readily converted between the limb- and cable-driven arrangements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention relates to arrow rests for archerybows. In particular, an arrow rest assembly and associated methods aredescribed herein that employ a bidirectional bias torque.

BACKGROUND

An arrow rest is a structural member attached to an archery bow,typically on the bow's riser or handle, that is arranged to support theshaft of the arrow when the bow is drawn or shot. Such support of theshaft can typically enable the archer to shoot more accurately. A fewprevious examples of arrow rest assemblies are disclosed in:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,058 entitled “Arrow rest” issued Sep. 25,        1984 to Terry;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,189 entitled “Arrow rests used in archery”        issued Oct. 22, 1985 to Pietraszek et al;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,220 entitled “Arrow rest” issued Jun. 30,        1987 to Pietraszek;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,136 entitled “Arrow rest with retracting        arm” issued Apr. 2, 1996 to Tone;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,174 entitled “Arrow rest” issued May 13,        2003 to Afshari;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,297 entitled “Magnetic arrow rest biasing        device” issued Feb. 10, 2004 to Clague;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,279 entitled “Drop-away arrow rest” issued        Jun. 21, 2011 to Harwath et al; and    -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,457 entitled “Archery rest system” issued        Oct. 1, 2013 to Munsell et al.

Many previous examples of arrow rest assemblies employ a “fall-away”design wherein the arrow rest (also referred to as the launcher) isarranged to be in a launcher-up position with the bow drawn and then tomove to a launcher-down position after the bowstring is released and thebow returns to its brace configuration. In the launcher-up position, thelauncher supports the front end of the nocked arrow with the bow drawn;in the launcher-down position, the launcher can allow the arrow'sfletching to pass unimpeded (or at least less impeded) when thebowstring of the drawn bow is released to shoot the arrow. Fall-awayarrow rest assemblies fall into “limb-driven” or “cable-driven”categories.

In a limb-driven type of arrow rest assembly, the launcher is biasedtoward the launcher-up position by a bias mechanism, e.g., a spring oran arrangement of two or more magnets. A coupling cable or tether isconnected to one of the bow limbs and to the arrow rest assembly andarranged, with the bow at brace, so that the coupling cable is tensionedand holds the launcher in the launcher-down position against the biasforce. Upon drawing the bow, the coupling cable goes slack (due to thebending of the bow limb toward the arrow rest assembly) and the biasforce moves the launcher into the launcher-up position to support thearrow. Upon releasing the bowstring to shoot the arrow, the bow limbreturns to its brace configuration, reapplying tension to the couplingcable and pulling the launcher back to the launcher-down positionagainst the bias force. Instead of being connected to the bow limb,alternatively the coupling cable can be connected to a segment of acable of the compound bow that moves toward the arrow rest assembly asthe bow is drawn (e.g., a lower segment of a let-out cable of asingle-cam compound bow). Such an arrangement behaves the same as if thecoupling cable were connected to the bow limb, and shall also bereferred to as “limb-driven.”

In a cable-driven type of arrow rest assembly, the launcher is biasedtoward the launcher-down position by the bias mechanism. The couplingcable is connected to a segment of a bow cable that moves away from thearrow rest assembly as the bow is drawn (e.g., a lower segment of apower cable of a single-cam bow). At brace the coupling cable is slackand the bias force holds the launcher in the launcher-down position. Asthe bow is drawn, movement of the bow cable tensions the coupling cableand moves the launcher to the launcher-up position against the biasforce. Upon releasing the bow string to shoot the arrow, movement of thebow cable allows the coupling cable to go slack, which in turn allowsthe launcher to return to the launcher-down position in response to thebias force.

SUMMARY

An arrow rest assembly for a compound archery bow comprises a body, ashaft, a bidirectional bias mechanism, a launcher, and a rotation stop.The shaft is engaged with the body so as to rotate about an axis that,with the arrow rest assembly secured to the riser of the archery bow, issubstantially perpendicular to a shooting plane defined by the archerybow. The bidirectional bias mechanism is structurally arranged so as toprovide a bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in bothdirections away from a single, substantially fixed shaft referenceorientation relative to the body. The launcher and the rotation stop aresubstantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft.

The launcher can be arranged so as to be removably, substantiallynon-rotatably secured to the shaft in each one of first and secondlauncher orientations relative to the shaft. With the launcher removablysecured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation, the arrow restassembly is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the rotationstop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in a launcher-upposition, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the referenceorientation in a first direction against the bias torque, moves thelauncher from the launcher-up position to a launcher-down position. Acoupling cable can be connected to a limb of the archery bow or to asegment of a cable of the archery bow that moves toward the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn, and coupled to the shaft so as to linkrotation of the shaft to movement of the limb or movement of the cablesegment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn.The arrow rest assembly can be further structurally arranged so that:(i) with the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaftrotated in the first direction against the bias torque with the launcherin the launcher-down position; and (ii) with the bow drawn, the couplingcable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holdsthe shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position. The arrow restassembly is thus in a so-called limb-driven arrangement.

With the launcher removably secured to the shaft in the second launcherorientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that(i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft withthe launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii) rotation of theshaft, away from the reference orientation in a second directionopposite the first direction and against the bias torque, moves thelauncher from the launcher-down position to the launcher-up position. Acoupling cable can be connected to a segment of a cable of the archerybow that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn,and coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movementof the cable segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly whenthe bow is drawn. The arrow rest assembly can be further structurallyarranged so that: (i) with the bow at brace, the coupling cable isslack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaftwith the launcher in the launcher-down position; and (ii) with the bowdrawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in thesecond direction against the bias torque with the launcher in thelauncher-up position. The arrow rest assembly is thus in a so-calledcable-driven arrangement.

With the launcher arranged so as to be removably secured to the shaft ineach one of the first and second launcher orientations relative to theshaft, the arrow rest assembly can be readily converted between thelimb-driven and cable-driven arrangements by: (A) moving the launcherbetween the first and second launcher orientations; (B) moving theconnection of the coupling cable between the limb or cable segment thatmoves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn and the cablesegment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn; and (C) arranging, or verifying the arrangement of, coupling ofthe coupling cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft tothe desired movement of the corresponding cable segment or limb.

Objects and advantages pertaining to arrow rest assemblies may becomeapparent upon referring to the example embodiments illustrated in thedrawings and disclosed in the following written description or appendedclaims.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an arrow rest assembly with a launcherin a launcher-down position.

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the arrow rest assembly with thelauncher in a launcher-up position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded views of the arrow rest assembly.

FIG. 4A is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a limb-drivenarrangement with a bow at brace and with the launcher in thelauncher-down position.

FIG. 4B is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a limb-drivenarrangement with the bow drawn and with the launcher in the launcher-upposition.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a cable-drivenarrangement with a bow at brace and with the launcher in thelauncher-down position.

FIG. 5B is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a cable-drivenarrangement with the bow drawn and with the launcher in the launcher-upposition.

The embodiments depicted are shown only schematically: all features maynot be shown in full detail or in proper proportion, certain features orstructures may be exaggerated relative to others for clarity, and thedrawings should not be regarded as being to scale. The embodiments shownare only examples: they should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe present disclosure or appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An example of an arrow rest assembly 10 for archery bow is shown inFIGS. 1A/1B, 2, 3, 4A/4B, and 5A/5B. The arrow rest assembly is depictedschematically in a limb-driven arrangement with the bow at brace anddrawn (FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively) and in a cable-driven arrangementwith the bow at brace and drawn (FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively). Thearrow rest assembly 10 comprises a body 102, a shaft 108, abidirectional bias mechanism, a launcher 106, and a rotation stop 110.The body 102 can be secured directly to a riser of the archery bow, or amounting bracket 104 can be employed that is structurally arranged so asto secure the arrow rest assembly 10 in any suitable way to the riser ofthe archery bow. If needed or desired, the mounting bracket 104 can befurther arranged so as to enable adjustment of a vertical position ofthe arrow rest assembly relative to the riser of the archery bow.

The shaft 108 is engaged with the body 102 so as to rotate about an axisthat, with the arrow rest assembly 10 secured to the riser of thearchery bow, is substantially perpendicular to a shooting plane definedby the archery bow (i.e., a plane substantially defined by the bowstringtravel as the bow is drawn and then shot). A launcher 106 of anysuitable type or arrangement (i.e., typically a two-pronged member thatsupports the front end of the nocked arrow when the bow is drawn) isstructurally arranged so as to be removably, substantially non-rotatablysecured to the shaft 108 in each one of first and second launcherorientations relative to the shaft 108. A rotation stop 110 is alsosubstantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft 108.

A bidirectional bias mechanism is structurally arranged so as to providea bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft 108, in eitherdirection, away from a single, substantially fixed shaft referenceorientation relative to the body 102. Put another way, with the shaftrotated to the reference orientation, the bias mechanism exertsnegligible torque on the shaft; rotation of the shaft away from thereference orientation results in exertion of a restoring bias torquethat opposes that rotation. In the examples of FIGS. 4A through 5B, theshaft reference orientation corresponds to the “N” and “S” labels on therotation stop 110 being aligned substantially antiparallel to the “N”and “S” labels on the body 102, i.e., “N” on the rotation stop 110 beingaligned with the “S” on the body 102 and the “S” on the rotation stop110 aligned with the “N” on the body 102. Any suitable mechanism can beemployed for providing the bidirectional bias torque; several examplesare described further below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict the arrow rest assembly 10 in a limb-drivenarrangement. The launcher 106 substantially is substantiallynon-rotatably secured to the shaft 108 in the first launcherorientation. Engagement of the rotation stop 110 and the body 102 (via afirst end of arcuate projection 103 in this example) holds the shaft 108with the launcher 106 in a launcher-up position (FIG. 4B). The rotationstop 110 holds the shaft 108 in position against the bias torque in thisexample (i.e., the launcher 106 is pre-loaded in the launcher-upposition; torque labelled “bias”), but that need not be the case; inanother example the launcher-up position can correspond, e.g., to theshaft reference orientation where there would be negligible torque.Rotation of the shaft 108, away from the reference orientation in afirst direction (clockwise in FIGS. 4A and 4B) against the bias torque(labelled “BIAS”), moves the launcher 106 from the launcher-up position(FIG. 4B) to a launcher-down position (FIG. 4A). In some examples, therotation stop 110 can be further arranged so that engagement of therotation stop 110 and the body 102 (via the second end of arcuateprojection 103 in this example; FIG. 4A) substantially prevents furtherrotation and movement of the launcher 106 beyond the launcher-downposition.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the arrow rest assembly 10 in a cable-drivenarrangement. The launcher 106 is substantially non-rotatably secured tothe shaft 108 in the second launcher orientation. Engagement of therotation stop 110 and the body 102 (via the second end of arcuateprojection 103 in this example) holds the shaft 108 with the launcher106 in a launcher-down position (FIG. 5A). The rotation stop 110 holdsthe shaft 108 in position against the bias torque in this example (i.e.,the launcher 106 is pre-loaded in the launcher-down position; torquelabelled “bias”), but that need not be the case; in another example thelauncher-down position can correspond, e.g. to the shaft referenceorientation where there would be negligible torque. Rotation of theshaft 108, away from the reference orientation in a second direction(counterclockwise in FIGS. 5A and 5B) against the bias torque (labeled“BIAS”), moves the launcher 106 from the launcher-down position (FIG.5A) to a launcher-up position (FIG. 5B). In some examples, the rotationstop 110 can be further arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop110 and the body 102 (via the first end of arcuate projection 103 inthis example) substantially prevents further rotation and movement ofthe launcher 106 beyond the launcher-up position.

The arrow rest assembly 10 can be mounted on a riser of an archery bowin the limb-driven arrangement (as in FIGS. 4A and 4B, with the launcher106 secured to the shaft 108 in the first launcher orientation). Acoupling cable 20 is connected to a limb of the archery bow and coupledto the shaft 108 (through the rotation stop 110 in this example; anysuitable coupling arrangement can be employed) so as to link rotation ofthe shaft 108 to movement of the limb. Alternatively, instead of beingconnected to the bow limb, the coupling cable 20 can be connected to asegment of a bow cable that moves toward the arrow rest assembly 10 whenthe bow is drawn, e.g., a lower segment of a let-out cable of asingle-cam bow; such an arrangement is still referred to herein aslimb-driven. In either case (connected to the bow limb or bow cable),with the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable 20 holds the shaft108 rotated in the first direction against the bias torque with thelauncher 106 in the launcher-down position (as in FIG. 4A). With the bowdrawn, the coupling cable 20 is slack, and engagement of the rotationstop 110 and the body 102 holds the shaft 108 with the launcher 106 inthe launcher-up position (as in FIG. 4B).

The arrow rest assembly 10 can be mounted on a riser of an archery bowin the cable-driven arrangement (as in FIGS. 5A and 5B, with thelauncher 106 secured to the shaft 108 in the second launcherorientation). A coupling cable 20 is connected to a segment of a bowcable that moves away from the arrow rest assembly 10 when the bow isdrawn, e.g., a lower segment of a power cable of a single-cam bow. Thecoupling cable 20 is coupled to the shaft 108 (through the rotation stop110 in this example; any suitable coupling arrangement can be employed)so as to link rotation of the shaft 108 to movement of the bow cable.With the bow at brace, the coupling cable 20 is slack, and engagement ofthe rotation stop 110 and the body 102 holds the shaft 108 with thelauncher 106 in the launcher-down position (as in FIG. 5A). With the bowdrawn, tension on the coupling cable 20 holds the shaft 108 rotated inthe second direction against the bias torque with the launcher 106 inthe launcher-up position (as in FIG. 5B).

The arrow rest assembly 10 can be readily converted from the limb-drivenarrangement to the cable-driven arrangement. The launcher 106 is removedfrom the shaft 108 and resecured to the shaft 108 in the second launcherorientation (rotated 180° around the shaft in one example; othersuitable relative rotations can be employed). The coupling cable 20 isdisconnected from the bow limb, or from the bow cable segment that movestoward the arrow rest assembly during draw, and is reconnected to thebow cable segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly 10 duringdraw. Depending on the nature of the linkage between the coupling cable20 and rotation of the shaft 108, it may be necessary to rearrange thatcoupling. In the examples of FIGS. 4A through 5B, the coupling cable 20must be connected to the other side of the rotation stop 110. In anotherexample, if a pivoting connection were employed, rearrangement of theconnection might not be needed. In some examples it might be necessaryto remove the rotation stop 110 from the shaft 108 and then resecure it.In the example of FIGS. 4A through 5B, the rotation stop 110 must beremoved to allow rotation of the shaft from the positions of FIGS. 4Aand 4B to the positions of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In some examples, therotation stop 110 is resecured to the shaft 108 in the same position; inother examples the rotation stop 110 is resecured in a differentrelative orientation on the shaft 108, to provide stops at shaftorientations different from those of the limb-driven arrangement butsuitable for the cable-driven arrangement.

Likewise, the arrow rest assembly 10 can be readily converted from thecable-driven arrangement to the limb-driven arrangement. The launcher106 is removed from the shaft 108 and resecured to the shaft 108 in thefirst launcher orientation (rotated 180° around the shaft in oneexample; other suitable relative rotations can be employed). Thecoupling cable 20 is disconnected from the bow cable segment that movesaway from the arrow rest assembly during draw, and is reconnected to thebow limb, or to the bow cable segment that toward from the arrow restassembly 10 during draw. Depending on the nature of the linkage betweenthe coupling cable 20 and rotation of the shaft 108, it may be necessaryto rearrange that coupling. In the examples of FIGS. 4A through 5B, thecoupling cable 20 must be connected to the other side of the rotationstop 110. In another example, if a pivoting connection were employed,rearrangement of the connection might not be needed. In some examples itmight be necessary to remove the rotation stop 110 from the shaft 108and then resecure it. In the example of FIGS. 4A through 5B, therotation stop 110 must be removed to allow rotation of the shaft fromthe positions of FIGS. 5A and 5B to the positions of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Insome examples, the rotation stop 110 is resecured to the shaft 108 inthe same position; in other examples the rotation stop 110 is resecuredin a different relative orientation on the shaft 108, to provide stopsat shaft orientations different from those of the cable-drivenarrangement but suitable for the limb-driven arrangement.

The conversions described above can be performed with the arrow restassembly 10 removed from the riser of the bow or while still mounted onthe riser of the bow.

Any suitable mechanism can be employed for providing the bidirectionalbias torque exerted on the shaft 108. The following examples can be usedalone or in any suitable combination. One well-suited example mechanismcomprises a pair of diametrically magnetized annular magnets. The firstannular magnet 118 is substantially non-rotatably mounted on the shaft108 (by press-fit, adhesive, fasteners, or other suitable means) and thesecond annular magnet 112 is substantially non-rotatably mounted on thebody 102 (by press-fit, adhesive, fasters, or other suitable means). Theshaft 108 passes through central openings of the first and secondannular magnets 112/118 so that they are substantially coaxial. With theshaft 108 at the shaft reference orientation, respective magnetizationsof the first and second annular magnets 112/118 are substantiallyantiparallel so that they exert negligible torque on each other aboutthe axis. In the examples of FIGS. 4A through 5B (magnets not visible),the first magnet 118 is mounted on the shaft 108 with its diametricalpoles substantially aligned with the “N” and “S” labels shown on therotation stop 110; the second magnet 112 is mounted on the body 102 withits diametrical poles substantially aligned with the “N” and “S” labelsshown on the body 102. Rotation of the shaft 108 away from the shaftreference orientation results in the first and second magnets 112/118exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft 108 inboth directions away from the shaft reference orientation.

Another suitable example mechanism comprises a first set of one or moremagnets connected to the shaft 108 and a second set of one or moremagnets mounted on the body 102. The sets of magnets are arranged toexert negligible torque with the shaft 108 at the shaft referenceorientation, and so that rotation of the shaft 108 away from the shaftreference orientation results in the sets of magnets exerting the biastorque that opposes the rotation of the shaft 108 away from the shaftreference orientation. In one such example, the entire rotation stop 110of FIGS. 4A through 5B could be magnetized as shown, and acorresponding, antiparallel (at the reference orientation) bar magnetcould be mounted on the body 102.

Another suitable example mechanism comprises one or more linear ortorsion springs coupling the shaft 108 and the body 102. The springs arearranged to exert negligible torque on the shaft 108 at the shaftreference orientation, and so that rotation of the shaft 108 away fromthe shaft reference orientation results in the springs exerting the biastorque that opposes the rotation of the shaft 108 away from the shaftreference orientation. In one such example, opposing pairs of springscan be employed.

In addition to the preceding, the following examples fall within thescope of the present disclosure or appended claims:

Example 1

An arrow rest assembly for a compound archery bow, the arrow restassembly comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft engaged with the body so asto rotate about an axis that, with the arrow rest assembly secured tothe riser of the archery bow, is substantially perpendicular to ashooting plane defined by the archery bow; (c) a bidirectional biasmechanism structurally arranged so as to provide a bias torque thatopposes rotation of the shaft in both directions away from a single,substantially fixed shaft reference orientation relative to the body;(d) a launcher substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft; and (e)a rotation stop substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft,wherein: (f) the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that(i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft withthe launcher in a launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft,away from the reference orientation in a first direction against thebias torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to alauncher-down position; or (g) the arrow rest assembly is structurallyarranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holdsthe shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii)rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a seconddirection opposite the first direction and against the bias torque,moves the launcher from the launcher-down position to the launcher-upposition.

Example 2

The arrow rest assembly of Example 1 wherein: (h) the bidirectional biasmechanism comprises a first diametrically magnetized annular magnetsubstantially non-rotatably mounted on the shaft and a seconddiametrically magnetized annular magnet substantially non-rotatablymounted on the body; (i) the shaft passes through central openings ofthe first and second annular magnets so that the first and secondannular magnets are substantially coaxial; (j) with the shaft at theshaft reference orientation, respective magnetizations of the first andsecond annular magnets are substantially antiparallel so that the firstand second magnets exert negligible torque on each other about the axis;and (k) rotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientationresults in the first and second magnets exerting the bias torque thatopposes the rotation of the shaft away from the shaft referenceorientation.

Example 3

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 or 2 wherein: (h) thebidirectional bias mechanism comprises a first set of one or moremagnets connected to the shaft and a second set of one or more magnetsmounted on the body; (i) the magnets of the first and second sets arestructurally arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaftreference orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the axis;and (j) the magnets of the first and second sets are structurallyarranged so that rotation of the shaft away from the shaft referenceorientation results in the magnets of the first and second sets exertingthe bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft away from theshaft reference orientation.

Example 4

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 3 wherein: (h)the bidirectional bias mechanism comprises one or more linear or torsionsprings coupling the shaft and the body; (i) the one or more springs arestructurally arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaftreference orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the axis;and (j) the one or more springs are structurally arranged so thatrotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation resultsin the one or more springs exerting the bias torque that opposes therotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation.

Example 5

The arrow rest assembly of Example 4 wherein the one or more linear ortorsion springs comprises (i) a pair of opposed linear springs or (ii) apair of opposed torsion springs.

Example 6

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 5 furthercomprising a mounting bracket structurally arranged so as to secure thearrow rest assembly to a riser of the archery bow.

Example 7

The arrow rest assembly of Example 6 wherein the mounting bracket isstructurally arranged so as to enable adjustment of one or more of ahorizontal position or a vertical position of the arrow rest assemblyrelative to the riser of the archery bow.

Example 8

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 7 wherein thearrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that: (h)engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft rotated, inthe first direction, away from the reference orientation against thebias torque, with the launcher in the launcher-up position, or (i)engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft rotated, inthe second direction, away from the reference orientation against thebias torque, with the launcher in the launcher-down position.

Example 9

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 8 wherein: (d′)the launcher is structurally arranged so as to be removably,substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft in each one of firstand second launcher orientations relative to the shaft; (f′) with thelauncher secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation, thearrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement ofthe rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in alauncher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from thereference orientation in a first direction against the bias torque,moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to a launcher-downposition; and (g′) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the secondlauncher orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arrangedso that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaftwith the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii) rotation ofthe shaft, away from the reference orientation in a second directionopposite the first direction and against the bias torque, moves thelauncher from the launcher-down position to the launcher-up position.

Example 10

The arrow rest assembly of Example 9 wherein: (h) the rotation stop isarranged so as to be removably, substantially non-rotatably secured tothe shaft in each one of first and second stop orientations relative tothe shaft; (i) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the firstlauncher orientation and the rotation stop secured to the shaft in thefirst stop orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arrangedso that engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaftwith the launcher in the launcher-up position; and (j) with the launchersecured to the shaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotationstop secured to the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow restassembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotationstop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-downposition.

Example 11

The arrow rest assembly of Example 10 wherein: (k) with the launchersecured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and the rotationstop secured to the shaft in the first stop orientation, the arrow restassembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotationstop and the body substantially prevents movement of the launcher beyondthe launcher-down position; and (l) with the launcher secured to theshaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotation stop securedto the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow rest assembly isstructurally arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop and thebody substantially prevents movement of the launcher beyond thelauncher-up position.

Example 12

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 9 through 11 wherein: (h)the launcher is secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation;(i) the arrow rest assembly is secured to the riser of the archery bow;(j) a coupling cable is (i) connected to a limb of the archery bow or toa segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves toward the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn, and (ii) coupled to the shaft so as tolink rotation of the shaft to movement of the limb or movement of thecable segment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn; (k) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged sothat, with the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds theshaft rotated in the first direction against the bias torque with thelauncher in the launcher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest assemblyis further structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, thecoupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and thebody holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position.

Example 13

The arrow rest assembly of Example 12 further comprising the couplingcable and the archery bow.

Example 14

A method for using the arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 12 or13, the method comprising: (A) removing the launcher from the shaft andresecuring the launcher to the shaft in the second launcher orientation;(B) disconnecting the coupling cable from the limb or from the cablesegment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn,and reconnecting the coupling cable to a segment of a cable of thearchery bow that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn; and (C) arranging, or verifying arrangement of, coupling of thecoupling cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft tomovement of the cable segment that moves away from the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn, wherein, after performing the acts ofparts (A), (B), and (C): (D) the arrow rest assembly is furtherstructurally arranged so that, with the bow at brace, the coupling cableis slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds theshaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position; and (E) the arrowrest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bowdrawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in thesecond direction against the bias torque with the launcher in thelauncher-up position.

Example 15

The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 9 through 11 wherein: (h)the launcher is secured to the shaft in the second launcher orientation;(i) the arrow rest assembly is secured to the riser of the archery bow;(j) a coupling cable is (i) connected to a segment of a cable of thearchery bow that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn, and (ii) coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaftto movement of the cable segment that moves away from the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn; (k) the arrow rest assembly is furtherstructurally arranged so that, with the bow at brace, the coupling cableis slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds theshaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position; and (l) the arrowrest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bowdrawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in thesecond direction against the bias torque with the launcher in thelauncher-up position.

Example 16

The arrow rest assembly of Example 15 further comprising the couplingcable and the archery bow.

Example 17

A method for using the arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 15 or16, the method comprising: (A) removing the launcher from the shaft andresecuring the launcher to the shaft in the first launcher orientation;(B) disconnecting the coupling cable from the cable segment that movesaway from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, andreconnecting the coupling cable to a limb of the archery bow or to asegment of a cable of the archery bow that toward the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn; and (C) arranging, or verifyingarrangement of, coupling of the coupling cable to the shaft so as tolink rotation of the shaft to movement of the limb or movement of thecable segment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn, wherein, after performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and (C):(D) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that,with the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaftrotated in the first direction against the bias torque with the launcherin the launcher-down position; and (E) the arrow rest assembly isfurther structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the couplingcable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holdsthe shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position.

It is intended that equivalents of the disclosed example embodiments andmethods shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure orappended claims. It is intended that the disclosed example embodimentsand methods, and equivalents thereof, may be modified while remainingwithin the scope of the present disclosure or appended claims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether in several example embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that any claimed embodiment requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in the corresponding claim. Rather,as the appended claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in lessthan all features of a single disclosed example embodiment. Thus, theappended claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate disclosed embodiment.However, the present disclosure shall also be construed as implicitlydisclosing any embodiment having any suitable set of one or moredisclosed or claimed features (i.e., a set of features that are neitherincompatible nor mutually exclusive) that appear in the presentdisclosure or the appended claims, including those sets that may not beexplicitly disclosed herein. In addition, for purposes of disclosure,each of the appended dependent claims shall be construed as if writtenin multiple dependent form and dependent upon all preceding claims withwhich it is not inconsistent. It should be further noted that the scopeof the appended claims does not necessarily encompass the whole of thesubject matter disclosed herein.

For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, theconjunction “or” is to be construed inclusively (e.g., “a dog or a cat”would be interpreted as “a dog, or a cat, or both”; e.g., “a dog, a cat,or a mouse” would be interpreted as “a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or anytwo, or all three”), unless: (i) it is explicitly stated otherwise,e.g., by use of “either . . . or,” “only one of,” or similar language;or (ii) two or more of the listed alternatives are mutually exclusivewithin the particular context, in which case “or” would encompass onlythose combinations involving non-mutually-exclusive alternatives. Forpurposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, the words“comprising,” “including,” “having,” and variants thereof, wherever theyappear, shall be construed as open ended terminology, with the samemeaning as if the phrase “at least” were appended after each instancethereof, unless explicitly stated otherwise. For purposes of the presentdisclosure or appended claims, when terms are employed such as “aboutequal to,” “substantially equal to,” “greater than about,” “less thanabout,” and so forth, in relation to a numerical quantity, standardconventions pertaining to measurement precision and significant digitsshall apply, unless a differing interpretation is explicitly set forth.For null quantities described by phrases such as “substantiallyprevented,” “substantially absent,” “substantially eliminated,” “aboutequal to zero,” “negligible,” and so forth, each such phrase shalldenote the case wherein the quantity in question has been reduced ordiminished to such an extent that, for practical purposes in the contextof the intended operation or use of the disclosed or claimed apparatusor method, the overall behavior or performance of the apparatus ormethod does not differ from that which would have occurred had the nullquantity in fact been completely removed, exactly equal to zero, orotherwise exactly nulled.

In the appended claims, any labelling of elements, steps, limitations,or other portions of a claim (e.g., (a), (b), (c), etc., or (i), (ii),(iii), etc.) is only for purposes of clarity, and shall not be construedas implying any sort of ordering or precedence of the claim portions solabelled. If any such ordering or precedence is intended, it will beexplicitly recited in the claim. In the appended claims, if theprovisions of 35 USC §112(f) are desired to be invoked in an apparatusclaim, then the word “means” will appear in that apparatus claim. Ifthose provisions are desired to be invoked in a method claim, the words“a step for” will appear in that method claim. Conversely, if the words“means” or “a step for” do not appear in a claim, then the provisions of35 USC §112(f) are not intended to be invoked for that claim.

If any one or more disclosures are incorporated herein by reference andsuch incorporated disclosures conflict in part or whole with, or differin scope from, the present disclosure, then to the extent of conflict,broader disclosure, or broader definition of terms, the presentdisclosure controls. If such incorporated disclosures conflict in partor whole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, thelater-dated disclosure controls.

The Abstract is provided as required as an aid to those searching forspecific subject matter within the patent literature. However, theAbstract is not intended to imply that any elements, features, orlimitations recited therein are necessarily encompassed by anyparticular claim. The scope of subject matter encompassed by each claimshall be determined by the recitation of only that claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrow rest assembly for a compound archerybow, the arrow rest assembly comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft engagedwith the body so as to rotate about an axis that, with the arrow restassembly secured to the riser of the archery bow, is substantiallyperpendicular to a shooting plane defined by the archery bow; (c) abidirectional bias mechanism structurally arranged so as to provide abias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions awayfrom a single, substantially fixed shaft reference orientation relativeto the body; (d) a launcher substantially non-rotatably secured to theshaft; and (e) a rotation stop substantially non-rotatably secured tothe shaft, wherein: (f) the arrow rest assembly is structurally arrangedso that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaftwith the launcher in a launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of theshaft, away from the reference orientation in a first direction againstthe bias torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to alauncher-down position; or (g) the arrow rest assembly is structurallyarranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holdsthe shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii)rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a seconddirection opposite the first direction and against the bias torque,moves the launcher from the launcher-down position to the launcher-upposition.
 2. The arrow rest assembly of claim 1 wherein the arrow restassembly is further structurally arranged so that: (h) engagement of therotation stop and the body holds the shaft rotated, in the firstdirection, away from the reference orientation against the bias torque,with the launcher in the launcher-up position, or (i) engagement of therotation stop and the body holds the shaft rotated, in the seconddirection, away from the reference orientation against the bias torque,with the launcher in the launcher-down position.
 3. The arrow restassembly of claim 1 wherein: (d′) the launcher is structurally arrangedso as to be removably, substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaftin each one of first and second launcher orientations relative to theshaft; (f′) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the first launcherorientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that(i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft withthe launcher in a launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft,away from the reference orientation in a first direction against thebias torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to alauncher-down position; and (g′) with the launcher secured to the shaftin the second launcher orientation, the arrow rest assembly isstructurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop andthe body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-downposition, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the referenceorientation in a second direction opposite the first direction andagainst the bias torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-downposition to the launcher-up position.
 4. The arrow rest assembly ofclaim 3 wherein: (h) the launcher is secured to the shaft in the firstlauncher orientation; (i) the arrow rest assembly is secured to theriser of the archery bow; (j) a coupling cable is (i) connected to alimb of the archery bow or to a segment of a cable of the archery bowthat moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and(ii) coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft tomovement of the limb or movement of the cable segment that moves towardthe arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; (k) the arrow restassembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow atbrace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in thefirst direction against the bias torque with the launcher in thelauncher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest assembly is furtherstructurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the coupling cable isslack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaftwith the launcher in the launcher-up position.
 5. The apparatus of claim4 further comprising the coupling cable and the archery bow.
 6. A methodfor using the arrow rest assembly of claim 4, the method comprising: (A)removing the launcher from the shaft and resecuring the launcher to theshaft in the second launcher orientation; (B) disconnecting the couplingcable from the limb or from the cable segment that moves toward thearrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and reconnecting the couplingcable to a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves away fromthe arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and (C) arranging, orverifying arrangement of, coupling of the coupling cable to the shaft soas to link rotation of the shaft to movement of the cable segment thatmoves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, wherein,after performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and (C): (D) the arrow restassembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow atbrace, the coupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stopand the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-downposition; and (E) the arrow rest assembly is further structurallyarranged so that, with the bow drawn, tension on the coupling cableholds the shaft rotated in the second direction against the bias torquewith the launcher in the launcher-up position.
 7. The arrow restassembly of claim 3 wherein: (h) the launcher is secured to the shaft inthe second launcher orientation; (i) the arrow rest assembly is securedto the riser of the archery bow; (j) a coupling cable is (i) connectedto a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves away from thearrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and (ii) coupled to the shaftso as to link rotation of the shaft to movement of the cable segmentthat moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; (k)the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, withthe bow at brace, the coupling cable is slack, and engagement of therotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in thelauncher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest assembly is furtherstructurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, tension on thecoupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the second direction againstthe bias torque with the launcher in the launcher-up position.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 further comprising the coupling cable and thearchery bow.
 9. A method for using the arrow rest assembly of claim 7,the method comprising: (A) removing the launcher from the shaft andresecuring the launcher to the shaft in the first launcher orientation;(B) disconnecting the coupling cable from the cable segment that movesaway from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, andreconnecting the coupling cable to a limb of the archery bow or to asegment of a cable of the archery bow that toward the arrow restassembly when the bow is drawn; and (C) arranging, or verifyingarrangement of, coupling of the coupling cable to the shaft so as tolink rotation of the shaft to movement of the limb or movement of thecable segment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow isdrawn, wherein, after performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and (C):(D) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that,with the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaftrotated in the first direction against the bias torque with the launcherin the launcher-down position; and (E) the arrow rest assembly isfurther structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the couplingcable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holdsthe shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position.
 10. The arrowrest assembly of claim 3 wherein: (h) the rotation stop is arranged soas to be removably, substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft ineach one of first and second stop orientations relative to the shaft;(i) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the first launcherorientation and the rotation stop secured to the shaft in the first stoporientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so thatengagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with thelauncher in the launcher-up position; and (j) with the launcher securedto the shaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotation stopsecured to the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow restassembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotationstop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-downposition.
 11. The arrow rest assembly of claim 10 wherein: (k) with thelauncher secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and therotation stop secured to the shaft in the first stop orientation, thearrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of therotation stop and the body substantially prevents movement of thelauncher beyond the launcher-down position; and (l) with the launchersecured to the shaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotationstop secured to the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow restassembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotationstop and the body substantially prevents movement of the launcher beyondthe launcher-up position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h) thebidirectional bias mechanism comprises a first diametrically magnetizedannular magnet substantially non-rotatably mounted on the shaft and asecond diametrically magnetized annular magnet substantiallynon-rotatably mounted on the body; (i) the shaft passes through centralopenings of the first and second annular magnets so that the first andsecond annular magnets are substantially coaxial; (j) with the shaft atthe shaft reference orientation, respective magnetizations of the firstand second annular magnets are substantially antiparallel so that thefirst and second magnets exert negligible torque on each other about theaxis; and (k) rotation of the shaft away from the shaft referenceorientation results in the first and second magnets exerting the biastorque that opposes the rotation of the shaft away from the shaftreference orientation.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h) thebidirectional bias mechanism comprises a first set of one or moremagnets connected to the shaft and a second set of one or more magnetsmounted on the body; (i) the magnets of the first and second sets arestructurally arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaftreference orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the axis;and (j) the magnets of the first and second sets are structurallyarranged so that rotation of the shaft away from the shaft referenceorientation results in the magnets of the first and second sets exertingthe bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft away from theshaft reference orientation.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h)the bidirectional bias mechanism comprises one or more linear or torsionsprings coupling the shaft and the body; (i) the one or more springs arestructurally arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaftreference orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the axis;and (j) the one or more springs are structurally arranged so thatrotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation resultsin the one or more springs exerting the bias torque that opposes therotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation.
 15. Thearrow rest assembly of claim 14 wherein the one or more linear ortorsion springs comprises (i) a pair of opposed linear springs or (ii) apair of opposed torsion springs.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a mounting bracket structurally arranged so as to secure thearrow rest assembly to a riser of the archery bow.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein the mounting bracket is structurally arranged so as toenable adjustment of one or more of a horizontal position or a verticalposition of the arrow rest assembly relative to the riser of the archerybow.